39 Weeks Pregnant: Any Day Now

At 39 weeks pregnant, you’re just one week away from your due date. Labor could begin anytime now—in fact, most babies are born between 39 and 40 weeks. This is the final week of your pregnancy countdown, and many women report a mix of intense anticipation, impatience, and sometimes anxiety as they wait to meet their baby. Every day may feel like a week when you’re at this stage, eager to deliver your baby and begin the postpartum journey. Understanding what’s happening with your body and your baby, and knowing what to expect in these final days before labor, can help you feel more grounded and prepared as you approach the moment you’ve been preparing for for nine months.

Baby Development at 39 Weeks

Your baby is about the size of a watermelon this week—approximately 19.5-20 inches long and weighing roughly 7-8 pounds. At 39 weeks, most babies are at or very close to their birth weight. Your baby’s growth has essentially completed, and the focus now is simply on waiting for labor to begin.

Your baby is fully developed and ready for life outside the womb in every way. Every organ system is functional. Your baby’s brain is fully developed (though it will continue developing and growing for the first several years of life). Your baby’s lungs are mature and ready to breathe air independently. Your baby’s digestive system is ready to process breast milk or formula. Your baby’s immune system, while continuing to develop after birth, is now sophisticated enough to respond to environmental pathogens.

At 39 weeks, your baby is positioned head-down, low in your pelvis, and ready for delivery. The amniotic fluid has decreased to minimal levels—about 500 ml (roughly 1 cup). This means your baby has very little room to move. You should still feel your baby moving regularly, but the movements will be subtle—rolling and stretching rather than dramatic kicking or somersaulting. If you notice a significant decrease in movement, contact your healthcare provider.

Your baby’s reflex systems are fully developed and tested. The sucking reflex is strong and ready for breastfeeding. The rooting reflex will help your baby find the breast. The startle reflex, grasp reflex, stepping reflex, and all other newborn reflexes are functional. Your baby is completely ready to be born.

Your Body This Week

At 39 weeks, you’ve likely gained 25-32 pounds, with weight gain having plateaued or slowed significantly. Many women experience 2-3 pounds of weight loss per week as their body continues shedding excess fluid. This weight loss will accelerate after delivery when you’ll lose an additional 8-13 pounds just from delivering the baby, placenta, and amniotic fluid.

Your uterus is at its maximum size, and you’re carrying the full weight of your pregnancy. Most women describe feeling completely done with pregnancy by 39 weeks. Physical discomfort is significant—back pain, pelvic pain, fatigue, and the general heaviness of carrying such a large weight are all at their peak. You may feel physically incapable of doing normal tasks. This is normal and temporary.

Your cervix is likely well on its way to being ready for labor. Some women are dilated 1-2 cm or more at this point, though dilation doesn’t guarantee imminent labor. Some women maintain dilation for weeks before labor begins, while others progress from completely closed to fully dilated during active labor. Cervical changes are just one sign that your body is preparing for labor.

Your body continues producing the hormones that prepare you for labor. You’re likely experiencing frequent Braxton-Hicks contractions, particularly in the evening. Many women report that these contractions are becoming increasingly uncomfortable, though they should still be irregular and not accompanied by progressive cervical dilation or labor progression.

Emotionally, many women at 39 weeks report feeling a combination of emotions. Some feel at peace and ready, trusting that their body knows when to go into labor. Others feel anxious, impatient, or even frightened about labor and delivery. Some worry about their baby’s health or their ability to be a good parent. All these feelings are normal and reflect the enormous transition you’re about to undergo. Many women benefit from talking with their healthcare provider, partner, or a mental health professional about these feelings.

Common Symptoms at 39 Weeks

Extreme Impatience and Anticipation: Most women at 39 weeks describe feeling impatient and ready for labor to begin. Every day feels long, and the anticipation of meeting your baby is intense. While waiting for labor can feel frustrating, try to use this time to rest, spend quality time with your partner or loved ones, and prepare yourself mentally for labor and delivery ahead.

Physical Exhaustion and Discomfort at Peak Levels: By 39 weeks, physical exhaustion and discomfort are typically at their maximum. Your body feels worn out and heavy. You may feel incapable of doing normal activities. This is completely normal and reflects that your body is at its physical limit. Rest whenever possible, accept help, and know that this discomfort will be relieved when you deliver.

Sleep Deprivation and Sleep Difficulties: Sleep is likely nearly impossible at this point. Frequent urination, physical discomfort, vivid dreams, and anxiety about approaching labor combine to make restful sleep rare. Most women at 39 weeks are severely sleep-deprived. However, research suggests that the sleep deprivation of late pregnancy may actually help prepare you for the sleep deprivation of early parenthood.

Increased Vaginal Discharge and Signs of Impending Labor: At 39 weeks, you may notice increased vaginal discharge, possibly passing your mucus plug, or noticing bloody show. These are signs that your cervix is changing and labor is approaching, though they don’t guarantee labor will begin immediately. Some women notice these signs and deliver within days, while others notice them and then wait another week or more for labor to start.

Continued Braxton-Hicks Contractions: Practice contractions continue to be frequent and may be quite intense and uncomfortable. They should still be irregular and not accompanied by cervical dilation. However, if contractions become regular, painful, and progressively closer together over several hours, you may be entering active labor.

Increased Emotional Intensity: Many women report that their emotions are intensified at 39 weeks. You may cry more easily, feel anxious, feel excited, or feel all of these at different times. These emotional fluctuations are driven by hormonal changes and the psychological reality of the imminent major life change. This is normal and typically resolves after delivery, though postpartum mood changes continue postpartum.

What to Do This Week

Stay Active and Patient: Gentle activity like walking may help encourage labor, but there’s no guarantee it will bring labor on. Use this week to rest, spend quality time with loved ones, and prepare yourself mentally and emotionally for labor.

Attend Your Final Prenatal Appointment: If you haven’t already had this week’s appointment, make sure to schedule it. This appointment allows your healthcare provider to confirm that you and your baby are healthy and ready for labor. Your provider will check your blood pressure, check your urine, monitor your baby’s heart rate, and discuss what happens if you don’t go into labor by your due date.

Discuss Your Induction Plan if You Go Past Your Due Date: Most healthcare providers recommend induction around 40-41 weeks of pregnancy. Make sure you’ve discussed with your provider what they recommend if you haven’t gone into labor by your due date. Understand the timeline, the methods they would use, and the reasons for induction at that timing.

Prepare for Possible False Alarms: At 39 weeks, it’s possible you may think you’re in labor but discover you’re only experiencing Braxton-Hicks or early latent labor. Prepare yourself mentally that you may go to the hospital and return home. This doesn’t mean anything is wrong—it simply means your body is preparing for labor but hasn’t reached active labor yet.

Finalize All Postpartum Preparations: Make sure your home is prepared for postpartum recovery, your support system is in place, and you’ve discussed postpartum care plans with your healthcare provider. You should understand what to expect in terms of recovery, pain management, and when to contact your provider about concerning symptoms.

Do Something Fun and Memorable: Many women report that doing something fun or memorable in the final week of pregnancy helps them feel emotionally prepared. Whether that’s a date with your partner, a favorite meal, quality time with family, or a prenatal massage, taking time to enjoy yourself and celebrate the end of pregnancy can be grounding and joyful.

Nutrition Spotlight: Staying Nourished Until Labor

In your final week of pregnancy, continue eating balanced, nutritious meals. You need adequate calories, protein, and hydration. Don’t drastically change your diet based on labor preparation—your body needs normal nutrition to have the energy and stamina for labor. Continue taking your prenatal vitamin as directed. Stay well-hydrated with water and healthy beverages throughout the day.

Have some easily digestible foods available during early labor—honey, juice, crackers, yogurt, broth, or other foods that appeal to you. These provide calories and hydration during the early phases of labor when you may not feel like eating a full meal. Ask your healthcare provider what you’ll be allowed to eat during labor, as policies vary.

When to Call Your Doctor

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience:

Regular contractions lasting more than 30 minutes—you may be in early or active labor. Go to the hospital or birth center.

Gushing or steady leaking of clear fluid from your vagina—go to the hospital or birth center immediately.

Vaginal bleeding more than light spotting.

Sudden severe swelling of your face or hands, with headache, vision changes, or upper abdominal pain.

Severe headache or vision disturbances.

Severe abdominal or pelvic pain.

Significant decrease in fetal movement. Review normal fetal movement patterns.

Fever above 100.4°F (38°C) or persistent low-grade fever.

Difficulty breathing or chest pain.

FAQ: 39 Weeks Pregnant

Q: Is my baby fully developed at 39 weeks?

A: Yes, your baby is fully developed at 39 weeks and ready to be born. All organ systems are functional, and your baby is at or very close to birth weight. While your baby will continue developing physically after birth (growing, gaining skills, neurological development), all the critical development needed for independent life is complete. Babies born at 39 weeks have the same outcomes and no greater risk than those born at 40 weeks.

Q: Should I be worried if I go past my due date?

A: Most pregnancies don’t go significantly past the due date. However, if you haven’t gone into labor by 41 weeks, your healthcare provider will likely recommend induction due to increasing risks of complications including placental insufficiency and stillbirth (though these risks remain quite low). Discuss induction timing and methods with your provider so you understand what to expect if you don’t spontaneously labor.

Q: Can I do anything to encourage labor to start?

A: Walking, sexual intercourse, and certain positions may help encourage labor, though there’s no guarantee they’ll bring labor on. Your body will go into labor when it and your baby are ready. Avoid anything marketed as a labor inducer without discussing with your healthcare provider. Trust your body’s timing and your baby’s readiness.

Q: What’s the difference between latent labor, active labor, and transition?

A: Latent labor is the early phase when contractions are beginning and becoming more regular but you’re only dilated 0-3 cm. It can last many hours, particularly for first-time mothers, and you can often sleep, eat, and move around. Active labor is when contractions are closer together (about 3-5 minutes apart), longer lasting (60-90 seconds), and you’re dilating more rapidly (3-8 cm). Transition is the final phase before pushing when you’re dilating from 8-10 cm. Transition is typically the most intense but shortest phase, lasting 15 minutes to 1-2 hours.